Ceremonies in the Christian context have a very clear objective: they represent moments related to the development of faith. The symbolism they carry in themselves originated with Jesus and the first disciples. In the case of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, there are at least three well-known ceremonies: baptism, foot washing and the Holy Supper.
FOOTWASH
The foot-washing ceremony is adopted in Adventist temples based on the example set by Jesus (John 13:1-20). It is a biblical ordinance in which the participant experiences the concept of deep humility, acceptance and a strong sense of God’s forgiveness of sins. During the foot washing, the faithful wash each other’s feet, showing love and unity. The ceremony can be practiced by all those who understand its meaning, even those who are not regular members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
BAPTISM
Baptism has accompanied Christianity from the very beginning. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,22 and John 1:32-34). The book of Acts reports, for example, the baptism of an Ethiopian convert (Acts 8:26-40), and of a jailer and his family in Philippi (Acts 16:27-34). In addition, the apostle Paul makes an important reference to the deeper meaning of the baptism ceremony (Romans 6:3-7).
Through baptism, believers symbolically die to their sinful past and are reborn as new people in Christ. Immersion in water represents the death of the old self and rebirth into a life dedicated to God.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not baptize children until they are old enough to understand its meaning and mature enough to make the decision. This practice also marks their entry into regular membership of the denomination. Preparation involves regular Bible studies individually or in specific classes on fundamental biblical beliefs and lifestyle.
HOLY CELEY
The Lord’s Supper is mentioned in the gospels and in a letter by the apostle Paul (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). The Seventh-day Adventist Church regularly practices foot washing in its congregations. They believe that pure grape juice and bread, both unfermented, are symbols of the blood and body of Jesus Christ, who made himself a sacrifice for humanity.
All participants take part in the ceremony and are taught to think of the Lord’s Supper as an ordinance characterized by the mutual forgiveness of sins,
reaffirmation of faith and deep joy at the salvation and return of Jesus Christ.
This ceremony is conducted by an ordained or commissioned pastor, and by elders duly ordained by the denomination.
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